Oneida Nation HS Lady Thunderhawks Are 21-0 With Senior Night Tonight

Coaches and seniors from left to right:
Coach Lee Laster, Eliciah Danforth, Maicy King, Malia Jacobs, Sadie Schuman, and Coach Lindsey Blackowl

By Dan Ninham (Oneida)

The Oneida Nation HS Lady Thunderhawks are undefeated at 21-0 and will be playing their last home game tonight. It is also Senior’s Night.

“Tonight is going to be a special night,” said first year head coach Lee Laster.  “Our four seniors have been nothing but amazing for our program, all have awesome personalities and are truly an amazing group of young ladies. They not only get to celebrate Senior Night but also get to hold up the conference title and cut the nets down, it’s going to be a very exciting night.”

“On the season we are currently 21-0, 15-0 in the conference with one conference game to go tonight. We were the first team in the state to reach 20 wins this season. We are the Marinette & Oconto Conference Champions. The ladies are playing amazing team ball and are looking at the #1 seed in our region for the post season. It is very exciting because they have worked extremely hard to get to this point and deserve every bit of their success this season,” added Coach Lee.

“We set goals in the beginning of the year, first to win the conference title outright since we shared it last year,” said Coach Lee. “We are focusing on the playoffs after that goal is achieved and we are on pace to do so. The ladies are dialed in and focused and are having a phenomenal year thus far.”

“I am extremely proud of every lady on our team for their commitment and dedication in school and on the court,” said Coach Lee. “Tonight we have a home game and senior night and were ranked 5th in the state for Division 5.”

“We are preparing for this game as we do any other game, and game to game,” said Coach Lee. “We focus on the opponents strengths and weaknesses, match ups, keys to victory, things we need to work on from previous film and the ultimate end goal of coming out on top when the clock hits zeroes.”

“My words to the ladies is frustration is going to happen, you have to be mentally strong to overcome, you were frustrated, now acknowledge it, accept it and then it’s time to move on from it so it does not affect you,” said Coach Lee. “That relates to life not just on the basketball court.”

The WIAA Division 5 Regional’s are February 25, 28 and 29, Sectionals are March 5 and 7 and the State Tournament March 12-14 at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

The Oneida Nation homepage is located here: https://oneida-nsn.gov/

The core values of being Oneida are listed on each bullet. Each applies not only to the Lady Thunderhawks basketball team but it also applies to all students, student-athletes and staff at Oneida Nation HS and beyond.

The cultural legacy and identity of the Lady Thunderhawks are gifts received from those who journeyed before them, shared with those who journey with them now, and passed on to those who journey after them.

The good mind, good heart, and a strong fire are within each person as being Oneida.

“Kaletsyalunsla means ‘encouragement’ in Oneida,” said Art Skenandore, ONHS Athletic Director and 7-12 Principal. “The girls live that word each game. The season is truly about resilience. The reservation community is behind them. You don’t see them looking at each other in a not so good way. You don’t see them with their heads down or being sluggish. What you see is a never give up attitude. You see the most energy they have happening all at once. We have been down some games and found a way to win.”

“This is an important message. The team is on the verge of being 22-0. As the Athletic Director, I’ve talked to the team that this is a warm up. Tonight is one season. Tomorrow we start a new season. This will be the real season. We have six games and we have one game at a time,” added Art.

“We have experienced a great journey,” said Art. “This is a best story in Indian Country of achievement, hard work and what stories are written about. Our boys and girls teams have played very well. Our girls are the two-time defending conference champions.”

“This is the medicine of the young people playing their game. While us old guys have been there when we were young. This is good stuff,” added Art.

“This is a story that is being written by our young people and their energy,” said AD Art Skenandore. “They will truly enjoy this story for a long, long time as we are enjoying their efforts.”

Senior Reflections

Eleciah Danforth played on the varsity for two years. 

Eleciah is the valedictorian of the ONHS 2020 class. 

“Our team has been the #1 seed in our division the past three years,” said Eleciah. “We have won conference title the past two years.”

“Since becoming injured in the beginning of the season, my main objective is to continue to support every single one of my teammates and coaches at all our games,” added Eleciah.

Malia Jacobs played for three years on the varsity team.  

“My personal accomplishments are being awarded MVP for the 2018-2019 season,” said Malia. “Also being awarded M&O Conference honorable mention in 2017-2018 and being awarded M&O Conference Second Team in 2018-2019. My team accomplishments are being able to turn the program around when a few fellow teammates and I decided to come to Oneida in 2017. Each year we are getting better as a team.”

“My favorite accomplishment would have to be this year, by going 21-0 as of right now. Allowing us to be the first team this year in Wisconsin to hit the 20-0 mark,” said Malia. 

“My goal this year was to try and get the younger girls up to speed,” said Malia. “Stopping what we are doing to explain to them what they need to fix. Also I am trying to get the girls to be more vocal. It is very hard to get people to want to talk on the court. But we are making more progress each game. I want my fellow teammates to feel comfortable when they play and know it’s ok to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, and I do. I want them to be happy while playing. When you are happy, you play good. The game is 90% mental and 10% physical. Last but not least, I want the girls to be committed. Basketball is a long season. But you don’t get to play just because you want to. You need to work for it. Basketball is a privilege. I try to get the girls to understand school comes first.”

Sadie Schuman played three years on the varsity team.

“My personal accomplishments over the years were to handle the ball, attack the paint and make my free throws,” said Sadie. “My team accomplishments over the last couple of years are getting the conference title this year and last year and getting the #1 seed.”

“I am preparing myself for the post-season by not going in every game thinking we’re going to win, and taking one game at a time. For the team we’re getting ready by taking each game one at a time and we’re working on talking more. We have been struggling with communication the last couple years.”

Maicy King played one year on the varsity team.

“My personal goal was to better myself,” said Maicy. “I’ve been having a hard time throughout high school and things are finally turning around. I’ve come a long way the last couple years. My accomplishment this season was being able to get in shape. I am very proud of myself for sticking through this season because I didn’t think I would’ve.” 

“I am helping prepare my team by showing them what it’s like to guard a stronger post since most of our younger girls don’t know how to. I am also helping by giving the younger girls pointers on what they can do better. My goal is to help the younger girls be more comfortable playing and get up to speed. Next year a lot of them will be playing at the varsity level,” added Maicy.

Photo Credit: Nathan Wisneski